My daughter has spent the better half of the past year, in her free time around home, with the boy next door.  They’ve gotten to be pretty good buds.  And when we asked if he’d like to come with us to the ranch these few last days before school .. his mom and stepdad weren’t so sure.  He would miss a day of football practice.  And .. I don’t think they wanted in any way to intrude…

Since our arrival, it has been a series of firsts.  While he’s been on horseback before, it was the first time he realized why you wear jeans when riding.

First time on a John Deere.

Long day of riding

First time on a mower..

I asked him how he was doing later that first day.

“This is the best day so far of my life,” he responded.  “Seriously.”

Trying to catch the goat.

First time I’ve seen him with a smile that we can’t seem to wipe off his face ..